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Afternoon practice

The Kings aren’t practicing until 12:30 p.m. today, so stay tuned for a full report later. We’ll try to answer the eternal question: What’s the meaning of life? Or an even tougher question to answer: What are the Kings going to do in goal?

When Ersberg gets completely healthy, we must send LaBarbera down. Ersberg-Quick has a MUCH better chance of getting us to where we want to be then ANY combination involving Jason. His chance(s)have come & gone…it’s time to move on.

Chris in Torrance

The answer in goal looks pretty obvious to me. Jonathan Quick has proven, to me at least, that he belongs in the NHL. When EE comes back, the move I’d like to see is LaBabera put on waivers and sent to the minors if/when he clears. Ersberg and Quick are the top 2 goalies from what I’ve seen.

Chris in Torrance

The answer in goal looks pretty obvious to me. Jonathan Quick has proven, to me at least, that he belongs in the NHL. When EE comes back, the move I’d like to see is LaBabera put on waivers and sent to the minors if/when he clears. Ersberg and Quick are the top 2 goalies from what I’ve seen.

Thomas

Rich,

Can you get info on what happens when Ersberg is healthy? Does Quick go back down? Do they do something with JLB so they can keep Quick & Ersberg up?

Brian Boyle had fire in his eyes Saturday night when he had a hand in all three Monarchs goals in a 3-2 victory over the Portland Pirates. Boyle had pumped his point total in 12 games to 3-7-10, cracking the top-10 in Monarchs scoring with only half the games of those ahead of him on the chart.

There were three LA Kings scouts in attendance including Mike OConnell as well as director of hockey operations Jeff Solomon. If this wasnt Boyle sending a statement, nothing then will get their attention. From start to finish Boyle was on and he was the single difference in the game.

Coach Mark Morris on Boyle: (Boyle) really played a big game. Its good to see him getting back to his old self. […] So if (Boyle) continues to play like that its going to be nothing but positive for us and he may give himself another chance to show his wares in Los Angeles. Were going to enjoy him while weve got him.

[…] In the final 8:57 of Saturdays victory goaltender Jon Bernier made five key saves with no rebounds to hold the Pirates at bay. The win was the second straight for Bernier […] (Bernier) was like velcro, said Morris. He wasnt giving up any loose pucks around the net. He had a great focus but no question he wanted to win this one.

psycho

thanks for that Quisp. for those who have never been in a situation like this, there is nothing more motivating, more inspiring to improve your own game and elevate your play to a higher level than to see your peers, your competition succeed and do the same. There is no doubt that Boyle, Purcell, & Bernier have seen or heard about the success of Lewis and Quick. From what I have heard Bernier needs Quick to do well to “re-light” that fire in his belly and maybe this has also worked for Boyle. But do not lose sight that this is one of the jobs of the coach and GM – in addition to providing every opportunity to help improve their player’s games individually, they MUST create an atmosphere of competition to allow the players to push each other, motivate each other and prevent any sense of entitlement. TM has done a good job of this. Let’s also remember that the job of the coach is also to find a way to get that slacking player (e.g. Labs) to improve as well. This is a very delicate situation for a coach and a player since it can have a significant impact on his confidence and career. As for Labs, maybe a stint in Manchester would do him well, he obviously has some mental and technical glitches that must be worked out if he is going to remain on the NHL roster, any NHL roster for that matter.

Who is behind Inside the Kings blog?

Elliott Teaford is an award-winning hockey reporter based in Southern California and witnessed the L.A. Kings win the Stanley Cup in 2012 and in '14. He grew up playing outdoors on the streets of Philadelphia. He also watched the Flyers bully their way to consecutive Stanley Cups in the 1970s, and makes no excuses for their quasi-legal play.

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